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Tag: Casemiro

  • Erik Ten Hag Hails Casemiro’s Impact At Manchester United

    Erik Ten Hag Hails Casemiro’s Impact At Manchester United

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    Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has hailed the impact of Casemiro at the Old Trafford club since his arrival from Real Madrid in the summer.

    The Brazilian midfielder has played an increasingly central part in Ten Hag’s improving side since they were beaten 6-3 by Manchester City a month ago.

    Casemiro was not in the starting line-up at the Etihad stadium that day, but since his recall to the side United have remained unbeaten in eight games.

    The former Real Madrid man has started every game in this run as United have won six games, against Everton, Tottenham and West Ham in the Premier League, and Omonia twice and Sheriff once in the Europa League, and drawn twice.

    It was Casemiro who kept the unbeaten run going with a late equaliser against Chelsea in United’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge at the end of October.

    “He told me when we had the first talk he needs a new challenge,” Ten Hag said at a press conference on Wednesday. “Because with Real Madrid he won everything.”

    “He was a big part of Real Madrid, still they don’t want him to go but he had the feeling I have to go to another club, to another league to prove myself and that shows his hunger, I really like that.”

    “From the first day he is coming with that attitude to every training, to every match and he proves it. I really like it and he will be more and more important to our team.”

    “I said it the other day, he is the cement between the stones in and out of possession. You see him growing from game to game and with that, our team is growing. We are really happy with that process but we have to keep that process going, because we are not satisfied, good is not good enough, we have to do better, so tomorrow we have another challenge and another test to do better.”

    The Dutchman was speaking ahead of Manchester United’s final Europa League group game against Real Sociedad in San Sebastian on Thursday.

    In the Reale Arena United need to win by two goals to overtake the Spanish side and finish top of their group to avoid having to play an extra round in the competition against one of the eight sides who will finish third in their Champions League group.

    A two goal victory on Thursday would see United straight through to the Europa League round of sixteen and avoid extra games in what will already be a congested schedule after the World Cup.

    The Spaniards have won all of their five Europa League group games so far this season, including a 1-0 victory over United back in September.

    Ten Hag believes his side has significantly improved since then. “It’s six weeks ago or so and it’s a different team, not all the players then are fit,” he said. “We’re growing, developing, making good progress.”

    “We know it’s difficult to win games here but we like the challenge. We know we have to win by two goals, we have a plan for that and we will do everything to get it done.”

    A draw would see Real Sociedad win the group, but Ten Hag believes they won’t be able to sit back for ninety minutes. “I think their coach likes proactive football, they want to play and I think they will stick to that. If it’s a different approach we will adapt but we know what to do.”

    Ten Hag confirmed United will be without Jadon Sancho, who is ill, and Antony and Antony Martial, who are both recovering from injuries.

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    Sam Pilger, Contributor

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  • Manchester United 1-0 West Ham: Three Talking Points

    Manchester United 1-0 West Ham: Three Talking Points

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    Manchester United come away with another three points at home in the Premier League after their 1-0 win against West Ham United on Sunday evening.

    It was not their best performance of the season from an attacking point of view, but certainly up there from a defensive disposition. The back four, plus David de Gea, were exemplary in their efforts of keeping a clean sheet – in which they were successful.

    Even though West Ham are treading near the bottom of the table, playing a David Moyes-led side is never an easy task, but Manchester United found a way through and will be delighted with the three points that takes them on the cusp of a top four position.

    Here are three talking points from the game:

    Defensive Unity Coming Together

    It has been a long time coming for Manchester United to look defensive assured, but Erik Ten Hag has got them firmly on that path.

    This season looked ropey, at best, given the first two games of the Premier League season which ended in humiliating defeats to Brighton and Brentford, but since then, the Red Devils have only conceded twice at home.

    Even with the injured Raphael Varane, who has been magisterial in defence for Ten Hag, Man United are beginning to look like a well-oiled machine at the back, which Lisandro Martinez and Diogo Dalot are leading forces of that revitalisation.

    The Argentinean centre back has been a revelation under the Dutch manager, who he bought from his former club AFC Ajax for £50 million, and is comfortably one of Europe’s leading defenders on current form.

    Dalot looks a man transformed after his season-long loan last year, learning the Italian way of defending and having director Paolo Maldini guiding him. The Portugal international showcased a defensive masterclass on Sunday evening with his spatial awareness and defensive positioning.

    Harry Maguire has come back into the team after injury and, apart from a few mistakes in the first half, looked to grow into the game, especially in the second half. It has been a rocky 12 months for the Englishman, with bigger tests to come, but he came through with a positive performance when the scrutiny was firmly on him; as well as being under the eye of Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate.

    Ten Hag has this team ticking and that begins with the defensive unit, no matter who comes in and plays.

    Marcus Rashford Has Found His Swagger

    Similarly to a few of the other England players in this Manchester United team, Marcus Rashford did not look himself last season and was playing on empty – completely devoid of any confidence whatsoever.

    However, under Ten Hag, who has been using him as either an inside forward off the left or through the middle as an alternative to Cristiano Ronaldo, the England international has stepped up to the plate.

    With 10 goal involvements in 15 appearances in all competitions this season, Rashford is looking like his old self and some. With his brilliantly timed headed finish against the Hammers, it was the first time that the Red Devils fans saw that Rashford was capable of being an aerial threat.

    Timing could not be better for Rashford with the World Cup exactly 21 days away and Southgate in the stands to watch him closely. England need more direct options in attack and Rashford certainly offers that, even if he has not been involved in the most recent camps.

    It would be remiss of Southgate not to call him up to the squad with the current form he is in – with the same being said of Luke Shaw.

    Casemiro Is Essential To Manchester United

    While Manchester United fans of course knew of the level Casemiro was playing at for a decade in Spain at Real Madrid, not many expected him to be this commanding and have such a ginormous impact when introduced.

    It has been no secret that the Red Devils have been in dire need of a defensive-minded midfielder for many a season, and so the arrival of the Brazil international was a superb signing.

    But not many thought that he would produce the level of performances that he is currently doing on a consistent basis as quickly as he has. It is hard to believe that Los Blancos saw Casemiro as surplus to requirements given the quality he possesses, in which he is showing it regularly.

    Another reason as to why Manchester United’s defence has been improved is down to Casemiro’s presence. The Brazilian is exceptionally aware of what is around him and when to press the opposition to break up the opposition’s rhythm.

    Not only is he clinical in winning the ball back, but having the foresight to see runners up ahead of him and quickly punch it into them to transition on the counter attack.

    Casemiro has been a godsend for Ten Hag and Manchester United fans, who hope that the good performances long continue.

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    Liam Canning, Contributor

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  • Three Things We Learned From Manchester United’s 2-0 Win Against Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur

    Three Things We Learned From Manchester United’s 2-0 Win Against Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur

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    Manchester United bounced back after their stale 0-0 draw against Newcastle United last weekend with an emphatic performance and result against Antonio Conte’s Tottenham Hotspur.

    Their 2-0 win could have seen six or seven goals go in, such was their overall dominance and electric play. The intensity from the players was present throughout, which is something Manchester United fans have been crying out for for years.

    It was arguably the best performance by a Red Devils side for half a decade and certainly the best under new manager Erik Ten Hag. His stamp on the club is beginning to shine through.

    Here are three key takeaways from Man United’s resounding win:

    Team Unity Beginning To Show

    It might have been a rocky road in Manchester United’s two opening games, which both culminated in humiliating defeats, but since then, Ten Hag has created a bond among players that has proven its worth.

    There is a clear process behind the Dutch manager’s thinking with the current crop of players he has, and has shown that they are beginning to gel together under this regime.

    The performance against Tottenham was fantastic from the first whistle to the last, showing how their fitness levels have improved and how they are becoming more comfortable in possession with one another.

    This should only be the beginning for Ten Hag’s Red Devils, but the signs are there across the squad that they are enjoying being under the tutelage of the former AFC Ajax manager.

    How Manchester United Have Longed For Casemiro

    For at least three seasons now Manchester United fans have been crying out for a defensive midfielder that can still perform at the elite level.

    Unfortunately for Nemanja Matić, his legs had started to go some three years previous and would not be able to raise his level to what was required as a defensive midfielder in the Premier
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     League on a regular basis.

    As he left on a free transfer last summer, the Red Devils finally secured a replacement in Casemiro. Given his time to get into the team under Ten Hag, some wrongly wrote him off and accused Manchester United of another failed transfer.

    However, as the Dutch manager quite rightly said about Casemiro settling into life in England, the Brazilian midfielder has risen to the occasion and shown his utter brilliance.

    Sitting in front of two world class defenders in Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro is the perfect cover for any team. Strong, a physical bully, composed, eager to get on the ball, and an eye to move forward and transition, he is exactly the player Manchester United have needed. If only they had signed him three years ago!

    No Player Is Bigger Than The Club

    As shown by Ten Hag’s ruthlessness by dropping Cristiano Ronaldo out of the match-day squad for their trip to Chelsea this weekend, no player is bigger than the club itself.

    The Dutch manager might be playing it coy with the media and giving very direct answers, but behind the scenes there has been a sense of acceptance from the board that Ten Hag does not want Ronaldo in the building.

    After proving to be yet another distraction with his antics off the pitch, Manchester United were at a crossroads after the Tottenham game. Back their manager and his decision to punish Ronaldo, or go against him. Luckily for all, the hierarchy made the right decision and accepted Ten Hag’s point of view.

    The Dutchman is building something at Manchester United and must be given the full backing and confidence to bring it to fruition. It might not go down with certain sections, but Ten Hag made a decision for the good of the team which will be remembered as such.

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    Liam Canning, Contributor

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